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Reviews
Aimee Semple McPherson (2006)
An engaging passionate biographical film
Bravo to Richard Rossi, producer, director, and writer of 'Aimee Semple McPherson' who also plays a leading role in his film. This remarkable drama based on the real life of the 1920's Pentecostal Evangelist, is a 190 degree turn away from today's glossy commercial film making status-quo. Aimee's life from teens to 40's is compellingly delivered by 21 year old, MIMI MICHAELS, Rossi's casting coup. The young intriguing actor is a rare if not all but extinct breed among her contemporaries. Her performance ascribes to no trappings of the twenty-something blonde pop-culture actors flooding the film market these days. Entirely unselfconscious, she is a unique blend of intelligence, sensitivity, and emotional dexterity. The real-deal classical actor gives us an unaffected 24carat 'Aimee,' exposing the complexities of her psyche, longings, frustrations and doomed attempt for personal happiness, with deft subtlety. Michaels keeps her work fresh and inspired with artfully delicate gestures baring Aimee's instability. It doesn't take us long to fall in love with the mixed-up, naughty, but well intended Aimee. James Kennedy, Aimee's mild mannered father, oft emasculated by his wife, is played by veteran, RANCE HOWARD with wisdom, warmth and tenderness. The chemistry between this father and daughter will be recognized by loving girls and daddies alike. The honesty and comfort Howard and Michaels shared together discloses a relationship that could only be divined as altruistically between Aimee and her Heavenly Father. When Aimee and her controlling mother Minnie, played discerningly by TERES BYRNE
take the screen, again familial chemistry was strong and volatile as well.
When the aggressive mother and Aimee lock horns we all sit a little more rigidly. CHARLES HOYES as Harold McPherson shows his metal as Aimee's woebegone husband in his futile competition with Jesus; or Aimee's calling to do His work. Other notable performances were given by Aimee's closest disciples, Emma and Reba played by ETIENNE ECKERT and LAURIE SHAW.
Although sustained by Mimi Michaels Magnetism, the current 2 hour plus version requires a good half hour chop if it is to see the light of day at the independent film festivals. The story line strays a bit afield in the last half hour but generously returns us to a three tissue ending. In this unpretentious film, purest Richard Rossi has, it seems, almost innocently produced a genre to be followed; making his 'A.S.M.' a reminder that the independent cinema is a great escape from the glossy mega-million dollar manipulative Hollywood flicks. R. Hughes Los Angelos